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CITY

High Shoals

North Carolina · 637 residents (2025 est.) · 2.602 sq mi
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The short version

High Shoals has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,333. Population has fallen 27% since 2000, a loss of 195 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $230,400. At a median age of 30.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 26% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 30.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 130%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
534
−27%since 2000
from 729 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
205 / sq mi
−27%since 2000
from 280 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
30.5
−1%since 2000
from 30.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:637 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4465236016787551990201020202024High Shoals
2024534
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,333
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,906 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,075
+42%since 2000
from $14,881 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
31.1%
+20.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
23.2%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 17.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.368
−5%since 2010
from 0.388 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade39.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services4.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Information1.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$230,400
+130%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$968
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $477 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
40.5%
−23.6 ptssince 2000
from 64.1% in 2000
59.5% rent
Vacancy rate
18.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.0%
−9.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
15.9%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+166%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in High Shoals on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.3%(629)
Black9.3%(68)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(17)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score26.8%(195)
2024
White, non-Hispanic77.2%(412)
Black11.8%(63)
Hispanic / Latino6%(32)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.1%(27)
Diversity Score48.1%(257)
Diversity Score
48
+80%since 2000
from 27 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.4%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.5%
+32.7 ptssince 2000
from 63.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+18%since 2000
from 17.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.9%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 84.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
19.3%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.6%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.1%
−9.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.6%
−6.8 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
52.6%
−10.4 ptssince 2011
from 63.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.7%
−25.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.2%
+10.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
Female
44.8%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.2% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.2%
−48.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.9%
−10.8 ptssince 2012
from 23.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.2%
−67.4 ptssince 2013
from 78.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.8%
+24.2 ptssince 2017
from 62.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 92.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.7%
−4.1 ptssince 2016
from 6.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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HIGH SHOALS VS
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HIGH SHOALS VS
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HIGH SHOALS VS
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HIGH SHOALS VS
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Population12,117+1802%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in High Shoals, North Carolina?

High Shoals, North Carolina has about 534 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in High Shoals, North Carolina?

The typical household in High Shoals, North Carolina earns about $53,333 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is High Shoals, North Carolina expensive?

In High Shoals, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $230,400, and the typical rent is about $968 a month.

How educated are people in High Shoals, North Carolina?

About 10.4% of adults age 25 and over in High Shoals, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in High Shoals, North Carolina?

About 23.2% of people in High Shoals, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has High Shoals, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, High Shoals, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 80 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →